Week 11: Short and Simple

The theme for this week is short and simple.

This week was a 4 day work week because Monday was a holiday- and in that holiday I did something I don't normally do. I cancelled all work meetings, moved all student meetings and took myself out of all work.

This week is simple because I only focused on doing my job well. I did not schedule any WEA trainings.  I did not go into this week dedicating time to online learning. This is about 1 thing, being a good version of myself.

Tuesday- Unlike any short week start ever.  Most Tuesdays that start a week are long and exhausting.  Today was good.  My classes went well. My lab went well. My student meetings were mostly all attended. I cleaned out one of my classrooms and said goodbye for now to my wonderful co-teaching partner. I look forward to a time when we can get back together and enjoy company closer than 6-feet apart in masks.

Wednesday- Some weeks just work out. And after last week I really needed something chill.  Wednesday was chill.  Low key day. Only 1 lab and a few student meetings. I made a point to not schedule anything today. I needed it.

Thursday- The day of meetings. 8am-4pm today. But I did give myself a break for lunch. Finished some transitional work from the middle school, had 1 class, a few labs, a staff meeting and some student meetings. 

Today I lost it. I broke down in tears over a city I use to call home.  George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis on Monday. To call what happened to him anything other than Murder is shameful. Those directly responsible for his death and those who stood by an did nothing need to be charged. We as a society must stop allowing police to live above the law.

I understand the history of looting in this country. We live in a country created by taking from others. We live in a country built on the backs of people who were given no credit for their labor. Looting is a symbol of power over another. But knowing all of this doesn't make me any less scared about what is happening in a city I have called home. It doesn't make me any less scared for my family and friends who live in the impacted spaces. Who are in many situations only blocks away from erupting fires, destruction and violence. I know people are angry, I'm angry. What happened to George Floyd was murder. But I am also scared about the impact the continuation of violence will have on the community.

Friday- Well today's business is a result of Monday's off time. 1 class and A LOT of student meetings- and after yesterday no capital left to do that.

This week by the hours:

Meetings with team, staff, or transition: 3 Hours

Class/Lab time: 6.5 hours

1:1 student meetings: 6 Hours

Time spent in my classrooms cleaning--too many

Time spent on trainings-1 hour.

Things that make me happy...

If you're a New Yorker or someone who has spent considerable time there you will understand me when I say Black and White Cookies are heavenly.  I started craving them thanks to a post from my Cousin about 3 or 4 weeks into quarantine. So I had some shipped but by the time they get to me, they weren't the freshest and by the time I finished all of them they were pretty stale. So I was EXTREMELY EXCITED when I found them at the grocery store.  These are smaller so I eat them faster but these are as good as what I could get in NY (exceptions being super fresh kosher deli's).  They have them at Safeway.

Piano, I played when I was younger. I've had a few bad back injuries in my teen years, and basically stopped, and so did my skill development.  I'd love to say I haven't lost any skill in that time, but I have, and the only stuff I own that I can play is hymnal music and things that are so ingrained in muscle memory that I'll probably have them for life...Fur Elise for example... So I ordered some new piano books a few steps back from where I was at 13, to re-build my skills...unlearn some bad habits I've picked up in the intervening years.  When all this quarantine stuff is over I think I'd like to start taking lesson again. But until then, I'll work on finding joy in my music again.  

Seeing friends: While it was sad to clean out my classroom, it was wonderful to see people again.

Signing off for now

-C